Careers in Communications

There are dozens of potential careers for graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Communications. I explored a few options and found five choices that appealed to me.


Technical writer- Technical writers are responsible for those nifty instruction and how-to manuals that we so often throw away. The easiest way to explain technical writing is that they take technical, difficult information and translate it into easier terms for the common person to understand. Medical, scientific, and technology-related information are three examples of different fields in technical writing. The salary of technical writers ranges between $36,000 and $97,000, depending on the field of expertise and whether the writer is salaried or freelance. The field is expected to grow as new technology and advances creates a need to explain how these things work. A bachelor's degree (preferably in Communications, English, or Journalism) is required to be a technical writer. Knowledge of web design and multimedia use is a plus.

Authors, writers, and editors- This is pretty self-explanatory as to the type of work. The salary of these professions ranges from $28,000 to $95,000 annually, depending on the type of work. The field is expected to grow at an average speed. Competition for editing and writing jobs is expected to be tough. A bachelor's in Communications, English, or Journalism is generally required for these fields. For writers, depending on the desired field of writing, experience and knowledge in that field may be required (for example, an aspiring sports writer should have knowledge of sports).

News analysts, reporters, and correspondents- These are responsible for getting us the news. They gather information about breaking stories and report on them. The salaries range from $23,000 to $156,000. This field is expected to decline in growth over the next eight years. Competition will be tough as the field decreases. A bachelor's in Journalism or Communications is desired. Experience with school newspapers or internships are a good starting point and potential employers will look for this type of experience.

Public relations specialists- Public relations specialists work to build and maintain a positive image for organizations. They are responsible for holding fundraisers, putting out press releases and media kits, and also handle crisis management. The salary for public relations specialists ranges from $30,000 to $97,000, depending on the type of organization the specialist works for. The field is expected to grow rapidly.  A bachelor's degree in Communications and experience in public relations are generally required for potential public relations specialists. Internships are also helpful.

Postsecondary teacher- This is the field that I am most interested in. I plan on getting my Master's in English after I complete my Bachelor's, and this is the path that I am most considering at this point. English language and literature teaching is what I would like to do, and the salary range for this field is $50,000 to $67,000, depending on the type of institution. The field is expected to grow as the employment rate grows. At the least, a master's degree is required, and in most cases a doctorate or Ph.D.


References:

http://www.bls.gov/